Chinese Visa Guide Step 1
Preparation
The first step can be divided into two essential stages: gathering the necessary documents for your application, then legalising these documents.
Australia Guidance
GATHER
All applicants must gather four essential documents. Additionally, some applicants may be required to obtain a fifth (a medical check), depending on the province to which they are applying.
Four Documents
-
Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 month validity remaining, and 3 blank pages.
-
Degree Certificate
Degrees must be at Bachelor’s level as a minimum, accredited from a university in an English speaking country, and held for a minimum of two years. Any subject is valid.
-
TEFL Qualification
A minimum of 120 hour accreditation is required for ESL teachers.
​
-
National Police Check (Criminal Background Check)
A clean criminal background is required to enter China. In Australia, apply for your check with the Australian Federal Police:
Legalisation
The process of legalising documents involves two steps:
first, the documents must be notarised;
second, then they must be legalised by attaching an apostille.
​
The authority to which you apply for legalisation depends on the jurisdiction in which you are seeking the service.
Canada Guidance
GATHER
All applicants must gather four essential documents. Additionally, some applicants may be required to obtain a fifth (a medical check), depending on the province to which they are applying.
Four Documents
-
Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 month validity remaining, and 3 blank pages.
-
Degree Certificate
Degrees must be at Bachelor’s level as a minimum, accredited from a university in an English speaking country, and held for a minimum of two years. Any subject is valid.
-
TEFL Qualification
A minimum of 120 hour accreditation is required for ESL teachers.
-
RCMP Criminal Records Check
A clean criminal background is required to enter China. To obtain one, you will need to apply to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
Legalisation
The process of legalising documents involves two steps:
first, the documents must be notarised;
second, then they must be legalised by attaching an apostille.
​
The authority to which you apply for legalisation depends on the jurisdiction in which you are seeking the service.
Ireland Guidance
GATHER
All applicants must gather four essential documents. Additionally, some applicants may be required to obtain a fifth (a medical check), depending on the province to which they are applying.
Four Documents
-
Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 month validity remaining, and 3 blank pages.
-
Degree Certificate
Degrees must be at Bachelor’s level as a minimum, accredited from a university in an English speaking country, and held for a minimum of two years. Any subject is valid.
-
TEFL Qualification
A minimum of 120 hour accreditation is required for ESL teachers.
-
Police Certificate (Criminal Background Check)
A clean criminal background is required to enter China. In Ireland, apply for a Police Certificate from the Garda at:
Legalisation
The process of legalising documents involves two steps:
first, the documents must be notarised;
second, then they must be legalised by attaching an apostille.
​
The authority to which you apply for legalisation depends on the jurisdiction in which you are seeking the service.
New Zealand Guidance
GATHER
All applicants must gather four essential documents. Additionally, some applicants may be required to obtain a fifth (a medical check), depending on the province to which they are applying.
Four Documents
-
Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 month validity remaining, and 3 blank pages.
-
Degree Certificate
Degrees must be at Bachelor’s level as a minimum, accredited from a university in an English speaking country, and held for a minimum of two years. Any subject is valid.
-
TEFL Qualification
A minimum of 120 hour accreditation is required for ESL teachers.
-
Criminal Record Check
A clean criminal background is required to enter China. In New Zealand, apply for a Criminal Record Check with the Ministry of Justice:
Legalisation
The process of legalising documents involves two steps:
first, the documents must be notarised;
second, then they must be legalised by attaching an apostille.
​
The authority to which you apply for legalisation depends on the jurisdiction in which you are seeking the service.
South Africa Guidance
GATHER
All applicants must gather four essential documents. Additionally, some applicants may be required to obtain a fifth (a medical check), depending on the province to which they are applying.
Four Documents
-
Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 month validity remaining, and 3 blank pages.
-
Degree Certificate
Degrees must be at Bachelor’s level as a minimum, accredited from a university in an English speaking country, and held for a minimum of two years. Any subject is valid.
-
TEFL Qualification
A minimum of 120 hour accreditation is required for ESL teachers.
-
Police Clearance Certificate (Criminal Record Check)
A clean criminal background is required to enter China. In South Africa, apply for a Police Clearance Certificate with the South African Police Service:
Legalisation
The process of legalising documents involves two steps:
first, the documents must be notarised;
second, then they must be legalised by attaching an apostille.
​
The authority to which you apply for legalisation depends on the jurisdiction in which you are seeking the service.
UK Guidance
GATHER
All applicants must gather four essential documents. Additionally, some applicants may be required to obtain a fifth (a medical check), depending on the province to which they are applying.
Four Documents
-
Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 month validity remaining, and 3 blank pages.
-
Degree Certificate
Degrees must be at Bachelor’s level as a minimum, accredited from a university in an English speaking country, and held for a minimum of two years. Any subject is valid.
-
TEFL Qualification
A minimum of 120 hour accreditation is required for ESL teachers.
-
Criminal Background Check
A clean criminal background is required to enter China. Where to apply for your check depends which region you come from:
Legalisation
The process of legalising documents involves two steps:
first, the documents must be notarised;
second, then they must be legalised by attaching an apostille.
​
The authority to which you apply for legalisation depends on the jurisdiction in which you are seeking the service.
USA Guidance
GATHER
All applicants must gather four essential documents. Additionally, some applicants may be required to obtain a fifth (a medical check), depending on the province to which they are applying.
Four Documents
-
Passport
Your passport must have at least 6 month validity remaining, and 3 blank pages.
-
Degree Certificate
Degrees must be at Bachelor’s level as a minimum, accredited from a university in an English speaking country, and held for a minimum of two years. Any subject is valid.
-
TEFL Qualification
A minimum of 120 hour accreditation is required for ESL teachers.
-
FBI Identity History Summary Check (Criminal Background Check)
A clean criminal background is required to enter China. Checks are carried out by the FBI:
Legalisation
The process of legalising documents involves two steps plus an additional step for degree certificates:
​
First, some institutions may require verification of the degree's authenticity before notarization. This step varies by institution; consult your college or university for their specific procedures.
Then, the documents must be notarized;
second, then they must be legalized by attaching an apostille.
​
The authority to which you apply for legalisation depends on the jurisdiction in which you are seeking the service.
​
Submit the notarized document to the Secretary of State where the notarization occurred for an apostille. The Secretary of State's office will verify the notary's credentials and attach an apostille certificate.
​
In most cases, the state-issued apostille suffices. However, for certain federal documents, you may need to obtain an apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. For degree certificates, state-level apostille is typically adequate but you should check with your local state department for specific procedures.